President of Hanoi City: “There are signs of suspected Covid-19 infection must call the hotline immediately, the emergency center is responsible for transporting patients to the hospital”

21h30 on 7/3, Hanoi confirmed the 17th case in Vietnam, and the first case in the province, positive for Covid-19. Up to now, after one week, the number of cases nationwide increased by 33, bringing the total to 49, of which 16 cases were cured and discharged.

Notably, 17 NHN patients (26 years old, living in Truc Bach ward, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi city) made the wrong medical procedure when they suspected themselves infected with the virus. Although she actively wore a mask, limited close contact, did not go out much during the incubation period, but when she arrived at the hospital, Mrs. N. drove with a private driver and a aunt, causing these two people not long. The latter was also found to be positive for Covid-19.

So, in the case of suspected Covid-19 infection, due to returning from an epidemic area or exposure to cases, how should we follow the procedure, to minimize cross-contamination in the community?

If Covid-19 infection is suspected, what should the person do?

As recommended by the Ministry of Health, when suspecting Covid-19 infection before visiting medical facilities, individuals should separate themselves from relatives and people around them.

People in isolation should limit going out to the community to at least 14 days without leaving the isolation place automatically. Limit leaving your room and direct contact with others.

Take personal hygiene measures, wear a mask, regularly wash your hands with soap and clean water or other disinfectant solution. Do not share personal belongings: bowls, chopsticks, spoons, cups, toothbrushes, towels, etc.

Collect used masks, towels, tissues from nose and mouth into separate garbage bags for disposal according to regulations. Do not eat together, do not sleep with other family members, lodging, or accommodation. Make sure to eat enough nutrients, drink enough water, exercise, gentle exercise on the spot.

There must be separate self-contained rooms, ensuring ventilation and regular hygiene. Restrict furniture, items in the room, isolation place. If a private room is not available, the isolated person’s bed should be at least 2 meters away from the bed of other family members.

If detecting symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, chest tightness, etc., they must immediately go to the nearest medical facility for timely inspection, isolation and treatment to avoid spreading the virus to the community. ; wear a mask during the move to a medical facility;

During the meetings of the Covid-19 Prevention Steering Committee, President of Hanoi Nguyen Duc Chung emphasized that all cases of signs of illness must be immediately connected to the Ministry of Health’s hotline (19009095 or 19003228). level of health status, polite epidemiology. Afterwards, the Health Services in the provinces / cities will call 115, asking for an ambulance to take the suspicious case to the nearest health facility, avoiding cases like patient number 17.

” The participation of the people is very important, they themselves are aware, aware of the signs of disease and must take care of their health, be responsible for themselves, their families, and the community themselves. “Mr Chung said.

In addition, the Ministry of Health has updated hotlines to continuously receive information and comments on the epidemic situation nationwide and receive advice on disease prevention for people.

Under the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam, for patients with symptoms of acute respiratory infection, medical facilities must conduct separate flow and arrange separate clinics. Particular attention should be paid to epidemiological factors of patients living or coming from epidemic areas within 14 days.

At the medical facility, the individual will be collected a specimen (throat swab, blood sample) to send for testing. Currently, there are about 30 laboratories in the country that can test Covid-19 in the near future, including:

1. Institutes: Central epidemiological hygiene; Pasteur Institute TP. Ho Chi Minh; Pasteur Institute of Nha Trang; Tay Nguyen Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology; National Institute of Malaria – Parasitology – Central Insect.

2. Provincial and municipal disease control centers in provinces and cities: Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang, Da Nang, Ha Tinh and Lao Cai.

3. Hospitals: Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases, City Hospital for Tropical Diseases. Ho Chi Minh; Bach Mai Hospital; PRIVATE Children’s Hospital; Cho Ray Hospital, Hue Central Hospital.

4. Some other units: Veterinary Institute; Military Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology; Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center; Central Veterinary Diagnostic Center, 6 regional Veterinary Sub-Departments;

If the test result is negative, the patient may continue isolation until the incubation period has expired. If there are no abnormal signs, people can return to living in the community.

In case of a severe or confirmed positive for Covid-19, patients will be transferred to health facilities according to the Ministry of Health’s treatment line.

After that, the positive patient needs to notify the epidemiological history, the number of contacts, so that the authorities can review, monitor and isolate cases F1, 2, 3, 4.

Procedure for accepting or suspected covid-19 patients

Each health facility needs to have patient screening areas right from the clinic area (such as the security gate area, the patient reception area), at least one clinic isolate isolated cases of coughing fever. causes to see a doctor. Personnel in charge of classifying patients must give instructions to them about preventive measures when entering and examining.

Strictly implement the flow of examination, isolation and treatment of patients, measures for infection control, infection prevention for health workers, caregivers and other patients at the establishments treat patients according to the guidance of the Ministry of Health.

When there are symptoms and a history of travel from an epidemic area, the patient should be brought into isolation and other patients as soon as possible. Do not put together a person who has been confirmed to have Covid-19 with a suspect. All must wear masks. X-rays, tests, specialized examinations … should be conducted in beds, if moving patients, must have adequate protective equipment. The patient spits on a disposable soft tissue and immediately places in a medical trash

During the epidemic period, signs should be posted immediately at the entrance area (security gates) and clinics to guide patients, their family members showing signs of fever, cough to the area for screening and avoiding. go to other areas.

The waiting area, examination room, procedure room for people infected or suspected to be infected with Covid-19 must ensure good ventilation, at least there should be more than 12 air exchanges per hour. Can open all windows, doors in the same direction in case of using natural ventilation.

Family members accompanying or suspected to be infected with Covid-19 should be considered to have been exposed to Covid-19 and must also be screened until the end of the prescribed follow-up period to help with early diagnosis and prevention. Covid-19 vaccine is capable of causing a pandemic.

Restrict transportation of patients, except in severe cases beyond the facility’s treatment capacity. Transportation personnel must bring adequate protective equipment. Clean and disinfect the ambulance after each shipment. Contaminated items contaminated with vehicles, waste and waste of the patient must be collected and disposed of according to regulations.

Persons directly caring for patients must strictly follow preventive measures, such as wearing protective gear, washing hands immediately with soap or other disinfectant solution after each contact with the sick person.

Make a list of close contacts and monitor your health status within 14 days of your last contact. Advise the contact person about signs of disease and preventive measures for self-prevention, self-monitoring, early detection of symptoms of an infected or suspected person. If symptoms appear, it is necessary to immediately notify the nearest medical facility for timely diagnosis and treatment.

The premises, tables and chairs in the infected area and the isolation area must be cleaned at least twice a day with antiseptic chemicals. Sanitation workers must use protective equipment such as medical personnel. All solid wastes in special isolation areas must be collected for disposal under the Health Ministry’s regulations.